Kutani Ware Porcelain Cup, Hanabi, 170ml

At a glance

• Colourful fireworks and scattered sparks stand out against a vivid red background
• Playful, contemporary decoration offers a lively alternative to conventional Japanese tea cups
• Compact, handleless form suits smaller servings of tea or coffee

Across the bright red surface of this cup, turquoise and yellow fireworks burst into flower-like shapes, with smaller dots scattered between them like sparks.

The design is called Hanabi, the Japanese word for fireworks. Firework displays are a familiar part of summer in Japan, particularly during evening festivals. Rather than depicting a realistic night sky, Kutani artist Yuki Tanaka captures their movement through bold colours and simplified, radiating forms.

Red is one of the five traditional colours associated with Kutani Ware, but here it becomes the backdrop for a lively, contemporary design. The richly decorated exterior contrasts with the plain white interior, giving the cup two quite different appearances depending on whether it is being used or viewed from the side.

At approximately 170ml, this is a smaller Japanese yunomi, a handleless cup traditionally used for tea. Its size suits a modest serving of green tea, a short coffee or another drink enjoyed in smaller quantities.

Tanaka's ceramics are known for bringing bright colour into everyday life. This cup reflects that approach: a familiar drinking vessel with a distinctive design that can be enjoyed regularly, without needing to be part of a matching set.

The fireworks also give it a natural connection to celebration, making it an appealing gift for someone who enjoys Japanese design, colourful tableware or memories of summer in Japan.